§ 4. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent local authorities have reduced their house-building programme this year owing to the reduction of the housing subsidies.
§ Mr. SandysI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. C. Hughes).
§ Mr. JegerAs I have not had the opportunity of seeing that reply, can the Minister give some indication about the way in which the ordinary house-building programme has decreased owing to the necessity for local authorities to concentrate on slum clearance houses? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that that means that people living in houses which are not designated slums have little chance of getting a council house from now onwards?
§ Mr. SandysIt is the Government's deliberate policy to encourage greater emphasis on slum clearance, and that is taking place. Of course, if within any programme more effort is given to one part of the programme, less effort is given to some other part.